NANAIMO REGION
Fee increases in some areas to start today Increases to go into effect as of April 1 include BC Ferries and BC Hydro; some booze prices will also rise. A5
NANAIMO REGION
New allegations ons
Need for food banks continues to grow
Sen. Pamela Wallin’s travel claims in question n in new RCMP documents ts
Number of people using city food banks is increasing, and it is a similar situation across the country. A3
Nation & World, A7
The newspaper of record for Nanaimo and region since 1874 || Wednesday, April 1, 2015
» City
POLITICS
Garbage pickup may soon be automated under plan
Lunney resigns from Tory caucus SPENCER ANDERSON DAILY NEWS
City of Nanaimo mechanics Devon Chouinard and Jason Place work on one of the city’s customized, ‘split package’ manual garbage trucks. The city’s sanitation department wants to fully automate the fleet within three years. [SPENCER ANDERSON/DAILY NEWS]
Move may also see recycling brought in-house
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anaimo’s sanitation department has pitched city council with a plan to fully automate the city’s fleet of garbage trucks over the next three years at a capital cost estimated at more than $6.4 million. The move would eliminate workplace injuries incurred by city garbage collectors as a result of manually lifting garbage and food waste into garbage trucks, injuries that cost the municipality $429,000 between 2012 and 2014, according to Charlotte Davis, manager of sanitation, recycling and public works. Davis also said the move would also allow the city to bring recycling collection in-house, which would save the city a further $660,000 each year in contract costs.
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“Safety was my main reason why we need to go automated.” Charlotte Davis, Manager of Sanitation, Recycling and Public Works
“Safety was my main reason why we need to go automated,” said Davis, who gave a presentation on the proposal to Nanaimo council at a special committee meeting Monday. There are eight full-time garbage collectors for the city and each earn $27.96 an hour, according to the current CUPE contract. Davis said the city has recorded 33 injuries in the form of sprains and strains from staff lifting bins and making repetitive movements throughout shifts. The total costs from the
injuries include medical costs, lost staff time and increased Workers’ Compensation Board rates. Having trucks capable of mechanically emptying garbage and food waste containers would reduce those costs and injuries, she said. Davis also said there is a business case for the change. If her plan proceeds, the city would buy six automated, split trucks capable of emptying garbage, food waste and recycling bins over 2015, 2016 and 2017. Each truck is expected to cost $400,000. The city would also order two smaller trucks at approximately $241,000 each. The city is set to replace four older garbage trucks from the ‘90s, which has already been budgeted for, as well as sell off four customized split garbage trucks the city acquired in 2011
for its food waste program. Davis said the trucks could fetch $80,000 each (they were purchased for $280,000, she said). The big capital cost is the $4 million the city estimates it would take to purchase residential garbage, food waste and recycling bins specifically meant for garbage trucks with mechanical lifting capabilities. However, that amount would be paid back over 10 years through user fees, not taxes. And Davis said that once recycling is brought in house, residential collection rates would actually drop below what residents would pay under manual garbage collection, she said. Council has asked for more information on the proposal. SAnderson@nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4255
Amendments to terror bill rejected by Tories
3-D technology gives girl new, light, roboarm
After clause-by-clause review, it was clear the Conservative government was not about to waver on core elements of the 62-page security bill. » Nation & World, A7
Finished product for seven-year-old Faith Lennox will be the result of an emerging technology that is revolutionizing prosthetics. » Digital, B1
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Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney announced on Tuesday he is resigning from the Conservative caucus to sit as an independent, in defence of his religious beliefs and “the concerns of my faith community.” The move was voluntary, Lunney said. The move comes after controversy last month when Lunney posted comments on Twitter saying that evolution was not a fact. “(The) decision (to sit as an independent) is entirely my own,” Lunney said in a statement. “Given the circling trolls, I do not intend to entangle the most multi-racial, multicultural and multi-faith caucus in parliamentary history in my decision to defend my beliefs.” Lunney did not return requests for comment from the Daily News despite calls to his Ottawa and Nanaimo offices. His Ottawa office said Lunney would be “unavailable for the rest of the day,” and that Lunney would speak to the issue after question period in the House of Commons the next day (Wednesday). In his press release, Lunney alluded to his Twitter comments. “My remarks were inflated by media, blended with other unrelated but alleged heretical statements and became a top story on national media creating a firestorm of criticism and condemnation,” he said, adding that “it is clear” other candidates and politicians of faith “(are) going to be subjected to the same public scrutiny in coming elections.” Lunney also said he was concerned with “deliberate attempts to suppress a Christian worldview from professional and economic opportunity in law, medicine, and academia.” Lunney has been an MP for the area since 2000. He has sat as a Conservative since 2003. SAnderson@nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4255 » We want to hear from you. Send comments on this story to letters@nanaimodailynews.com. Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown.
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